CSC calls to complete procedures before going on strike

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has said that even though the Constitution allows the right to strike, the procedures in the relevant laws and regulations must be completed before resorting to strike as a form of protest.

This came in a statement issued by the CSC today, after being notified by the Teachers’ Association that teachers across the country are protesting and planning to go on strike.

In its statement, CSC urged teachers to exercise their rights and freedoms within the boundaries of the laws and regulations.

The commission has urged the Teachers’ Association to discuss the issues with relevant authorities, and to ensure that the procedures mentioned in the Regulation on Resolving Disputes between Employers and Employees are completed, prior to going on strike.

Labour Relation Authority, meanwhile, has said that the protest, which claims that staff in the education sector have lost their social and economic rights, is neither lawful nor peaceful; and action will be taken if teachers participate in illegal protests.

In response to this, the Teachers’ Association has said that as long as teachers’ concerns remain unaddressed, they will engage in protests as allowed by the Constitution.

Today, a large number of teachers attended work dressed in black, to call the government’s attention to several issues including low salaries.

President of the Teachers’ Association Athif Abdul Hakeem said that this is ‘the lightning before the thunder’, and if no agreement is reached, teachers will stop attending work on Tuesday.

“Our stand is, establish a fair salary and benefits structure. This stand will not change,” said Athif.

He said that discussions are ongoing between the Teachers’ Association and the Ministry of Education.